Omoido Cave

Menfudo Limestone Cave is one of the largest limestone caves in Kansai and exudes a mysterious atmosphere. You can explore the cave by riding on a cart and see various highlights such as thin and long stalactites resembling straws and "Gongen no Kutsu," where the Zao Gongen, the principal image of the ancient Japanese mountain religion, is enshrined. The cave is narrow, low, and slippery, so be careful with your head and footing. The illuminated limestone cave is mystical and seems to be a size that children will enjoy. There are many nature-rich tourist spots nearby, such as the Dongawa Onsen and the Mitara Keikoku. You can also enjoy local cuisine in Tenkawa Village. Why not visit and experience it for yourself?

Menfudo Cave is a rare cave where you can ride a trolley to explore. The entrance to Menfudo Cave is up a steep slope, but by taking the trolley, you can reach the cave without using too much energy. Inside the 280-meter-long cave, slender stalactites resembling straws are beautifully illuminated. The cave is small, narrow, low, and slippery, so be sure to watch your head and footing.

Around Menfudou Cave, there are tourist spots rich in nature such as Dogawa Onsen and Mitarai Valley. Before and after visiting the cave, it's nice to experience the beauty of nature in Mitarai Valley and relax in Dogawa Onsen. In Tennokawa Village, you can also enjoy activities such as river play and insect catching. It's also recommended as a tourist spot to avoid the heat, as it's relatively cool even in the summer. It's also introduced as a recommended spot for driving.

Menfudo Cave is one of the largest caves in Kansai with few such caves, and you can ride a trolley to get there. Experiencing the actual cave on a trolley will be a very enjoyable memory for children. However, be careful of your head and footing as the cave is narrow, low, and slippery. Why not visit Menfudo Cave, which tickles your adventurous spirit, and leave the hot city behind in summer?

Menfudo Cave is known as a sacred site of Shugendo. Inside the 280-meter-long cave, there is a "Gongen Cave" where the Zao Gongen is enshrined. The Zao Gongen is the main object of worship for mountain worship and Shugendo, which has been worshipped in the area around Tenkawa village since ancient times. In Menfudo Cave, you can not only feel the grandeur of nature but also sense the ancient ways of life through Shugendo.

Tennogawa Village, where Menfudou Cave is located, is a sacred site for mountain worship and Shugendo. After paying respects to the Zao Gongen at Menfudou Cave, why not visit spots related to Shugendo? At the Yamagami-ga-take Historical Museum and Bokudo, you can learn about the history of mountain worship and see the different structures of Shinto and Buddhist main halls. When visiting Tennogawa Village, be sure to also explore the history of Shugendo.

After finishing your visit to the Omofudou Limestone Cave, you can enjoy a meal made with local ingredients in the nearby Dongawa district. At "Kakinohazushi Yanatoyo," you can try "Hounohazushi," a preserved food that has been enjoyed since ancient times as a food for Yakushi Nyorai. (Hounohazushi is only available for a limited time, and the regular menu item is Kakinohazushi.) At "Torinaga Shokudo," you can try Yudofu made with local spring water. Since local residents also visit, you may be able to hear more detailed stories about the area.